General Wish List and One Important question

[mbosico]

Kudos to the guys/gals who developed this concept and application - especially the web interface. Well done. I have been using the full version of this product for a couple of weeks now, and this is what I have in the way of suggestions.

1. I really really really want the ability to convert to MPEG format so I can burn a VCD. How else can I get the video conveniently back to my TV, other than through my DVD player? Ideally, there would be a check box similar to "write to default CDR drive in VCD/MPEG format when recording complete". I know this one is probably out there a ways, but this is really what I want. In the meantime, I will burn it manually, if you can just give me a convenient way to convert it.
2. Improve the video inventory management functions. A "delete shows older than X days function" would be great. I attempted to use the max storage space setting to accomplish this, but I believe reaching the limit prevented additional recordings rather than overwriting the oldest ones.
3. I use Snapstream mainly to watch shows on my PocketPC. I would like a checkbox on the recording setup screen to allow me to choose whether or not to transcode to PocketPC format. I believe that the way it works now is an "all or nothing" proposition. I realize that I can manually choose to transcode after the show is recorded, but I would like to be able to choose at the beginning of the process, as I am not always around to kick off the transcode after the recording is copmlete.
4. Ability to skip commercials during the record process.
5. let me choose the quality setting for each individual recording session, rather than on a global basis.
6. Enable VCR+ codes, or hook up with a tv listing service to enable an interface with checkboxes to make scheduled recordings easier. Sort of a "one click" recording setup.
7. I am not a Java or HTML expert, but isn't there some way to forwad me back to the screen from which I came? Everytime I make a config change, etc. the "success" screen comes up and I have to navigate back to the page I just left. It is a minor inconvenience, but I though you would like to know.

Important Question: How does the PocketPVS part of the application sync via ActiveSync 3.1? I do not see any reference to Snapstream files on my Activesync\Options\SyncOptions menu. When I dock my PocketPC after some shows have been transcoded, I have no idea if the shows are being sync'ed to the storage card or not - other than by looking directly in the storage card directory.
How does this process work?
How can I monitor the status of this sync?

[rkuo]

mbosico,

1. You're right, we've thought about this, but it's a bit down the road.
2. The max storage space setting should automatically expire the oldest shows when you reach the limit. Did this not happen for you?
3. Under the advanced options when you setup a recording, you should be able to override the system default for automatic transcoding. Click the "+" or the text "Advanced Options" to expand that section.
4. On our wishlist.
5. This should also be possible under advanced options.
6. We're hoping to implement this soon.
7. You're correct here, we don't have a good workflow for all of the pages implemented yet. On our list of things to do.

SnapStream PVS transfers shows to your PocketPC with RAPI. You won't see anything happening in the ActiveSync window...this is a separate process.

Clearly it would be nice to be able to watch the synchronization go so you have an idea of when it is or will be done. We've been planning on integrating a UI for the synchronization so you can monitor the progress in the SnapStream PVS Windows interface, but we just didn't get that done in time for 1.1.

[mbosico]

Thanks for your response. I will follow up on your suggestions.

With regard to the background sync to my PocketPC...
When does the Snapstream sync process kick off?
Are the files to be synce'd queued until the next time I dock?
Or, does the Snapstream app poll for an active connection to the PDA and then manage the sync itself?
I ask, because I have inadvertently removed the PDA while the sync was in process. I then returned the device to the cradle, but the sync did not restart immediately as I expected?
Do I need to do something to initiate this process once it is interrupted?